Hie Shrine is a Shinto Shrine located in the center of Tokyo. It was interesting to see such a shrine in the middle of a busy city. There is a main black gate that marks the entrance. After passing through the gate, there were three stairways to get to the main shrine.On the left, there is a tunnel of beautiful red gates that go along the staircase. Walking through the gates made it feel like I was in another world. 

Despite the cold and cloudy weather, there were many people praying and visiting the shrine. There were families, couples, and individuals visiting the shrine. Since the shrine is elevated, it feels far from the city. It is also surrounded by greenery despite being in the middle of Tokyo. 

At Japanese shrines, there are usually specific guardian animals that can be found throughout the area in the form of statues, charms, and more. According to a Shinto belief, animals protect the gods and are sent from the heavens. At Hie Shrine, their sacred animal is the monkey, or masaru. They symbolize strength, aid in keeping evil spirits away, and bring good fortune in love and relationships. We bought a couple charms as gifts for family members to give them strength. 

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Address: 2-10-5 Nagatacho, Chiyoda, Tokyo

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